Self-retracting downspout discharge extension



May 22, 1962 o. P. CONVIS 3,035,779

SELF-RETRACTING DOWNSPOUT DISCHARGE EXTENSION FiledDec. 1a, 1959 JMHZ. l [5 l8 l6 {Ll I I INVENTOR 0 y/z'ZZel C072Vz'5 BY 0% QO M ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiflce 3,035,779 Patented May 22, 1962 3,035,779 SELF-RETRACTING DOWNSPOUT DISCHARGE EXTENSION Orville P. Convis, 58 Woodward, Battle Creek, Mich. Filed Dec. 16, 1959, Ser. No. 859,940 3 Claims. (Cl. 239-208) The present invention relates broadly to conductors, and in its specific phases to an eaves trough downspout draining extension.

When rain water is to be discharged from the downspout of a roof gutter onto the ground, it'should be discharged at a' considerable distance from the building whose roof is being drained and it is customary for this purpose to provide the lower end ofthe downspout with a lateral extension, or even an open'trough, to deliver the water several feet from the building, and thus avoid excessive soaking of the ground around wall footings, and/or basement walls while also avoiding plugging of such extension with leaves or the like. Such extensions,

however, interfere with mowing of lawn grass and, moreover, are usually rather unsightly. It was a recognition of this problem and the complete lack of any commercially available self-storing extension member for delivering out of its end remote from the downspout the bulk of the water passing through the downspout, which led to the conception and development of the present invention. 7

Accordingly among the objects of the present invention is the provision of an improved eaves trough draining downspout extension inthe formof aself-coiling hose, which is normally self-coiled into spiral form, and which has its delivery end normally closed by a self-closing internal pressure-opened delivery nozzle, whereby the pressure of the hose-received Water Will first uncoil the hose to operative position and will then open the nozzle to deliver the water onto the ground, a considerable distance from the downspout, and whereby upon substantial draining of the extended hose, at the end of a rainstorm, through restricted drainage means, this hose will recoil itself to compact position at the lower end of the downspout.

In carrying out the above end, an other object is to form the delivery nozzle integral with the hose while still permitting the hose to be self-cleaning of leaves or the like passing through the downspout into the hose.

A further object is to provide the nozzle end of the hose with a water receiving plate having a deflector, preferably V-shaped, which deflects the delivered water laterally in opposite directions from the outlet end of the hose to minimize localized washing away and concentrated flooding of the ground during downpours of rain.

A still further object is to provide a Water-receiving plate for the outlet end of the hose with that plate being of flexible form to minimize interference with coiling of the hose from its free end.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the draining means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the followin description setting forth in detail certain means for carrying out the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but several of various Ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In the annexed drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary elevation showing one form of the present invention applied to a roof gutter downspout and stored in its normal coiled form between rainstorms.

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to the lower end of FIG- FIGURE 4 is an end view of the nozzle end of the same hose.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevation showing a slight modification.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary plan view showing another form of the invention.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of the con struction shown in FIGURE 6.

In FIGURES 1 and 2, one form of roof gutter draining extension hose 10 is shown coupled to the lower end of a dounspout 11 from a roof eaves trough or gutter 12. The'hose 10 is of self-coiling form, is normally of somewhat flattened shape, as best seen in FIGURE 4, and is normally coiled between rainstorms as shown in FIGURE 1. The self-coiling characteristic may be imparted to the base of the hose in any desired manner.

In FIGURE 3, a spring-metal strip or wire 13 is embedded in the suitable plastic or rubber from which the hose is formed and said strip is similar to a clock spring, in that it will coil into fiat spiral form when permitted to do so.

In FIGURE 5, a similar coiling spring-metal strip or wire 14 is secured to the under side of the hose 10.

The hose may also be given the self-coiling characteristic by coiling it before the plastic or rubber is cured, and then curing it inthis coiled form.

One end of the coiled hose 10 is adapted for coupling to the lower end of the downspout 11 by means of a clamp or the like 15. The other or free end of the hose 10 is provided with a self-closing, normally-closed delivery nozzle 16. This nozzle is preferably formed from two normally contacting resilient lips 17, FIGURES 3 and 4, formed integrally with the hose and adapted for separation under pressure of the water received in the hose, after said pressure has first uncoiled the hose and extended it to operative position, as shown in FIGURE 2. Upon suflicient diminution of water pressure the lips 17 re-close, and upon draining of the extended hose, it re coils to its normal self-storing condition shown in FIG- URE 1. To permit such draining, one or more restricted drain holes 18 may be provided in the nozzle end of the base. Another small drain hole 19 is preferably provided in the other end of the hose to permit final draining of the downspout 11.

-In FIGURES 6 and 7, another form of self-coiling hose 20 is shown as having twin hose tubes 21 connected by a web 22. The self-coiling characteristic may be imparted to the hose 20 in any of the ways above explained, or a spring-metal strip or wire 23 may be embedded in or secured to the web 22. Both hose tubes 21 have selfcleaning delivery nozzles 24 such as the nozzle 16, and each has a restricted drain hole 25 at its nozzle end.

A water-receiving plate 26, FIGURES 6 and 7, may be formed integrally with or otherwise secured to the lower side of the free or nozzle end of the hose 20. This plate 26 projects longitudinally from the hose and also projects laterally in opposite directions therefrom. A water deflector 27 projects upwardly from the plate 26 and is preferably integral therewith. This deflector 27 is shaped to deflect the bulk of the delivered water laterally in opposite directions from the plate 26, thereby spreading the flowing water and minimizing local flooding of the ground. The plate 26 and deflector 27 also minimize danger of the discharged water washing dirt or sod away.

The plate 26 is, of course, preferably flexible to prevent it from interfering with coiling of the hose 20.

While only the twin hose 20 has been shown as provided with the plate 26 and deflector 27, which is preferably V-shaped as shown, it should be understood that the hose It) could also have such elements, and it is intended that the showing be considered as diagrammatically illustrating same.

A suitable support 28, FIGURES 1 and 2, may be used, if desired, to support the coiled hose between storms and kept out of the way when the lawn is being mowed.

From the foregoing it will be seen that novel provision has been disclosed for attaining the desired ends. However, attention is invited to the possibility of making variations within the obvious spirit and scope of the invention as shown and described.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of those explained, change being made as regards the drainage apparatus herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention.

1. A self-retracting discharge extension for a roof gutter downspout for water which may carry foreign items such as leaves and which is self-operated by the downspout water pressure, comprising a substantially non-perforated self-coiling hose which is wider than it is thick and is normally self-coiled into spiral form, said selfcoiled hose having an end for connection with a downspout, said self-coiled hose also having a self-closing, normally-closed, self-cleaning, firmly shut but pressure-opened delivery nozzle of large outlet capacity at its free end, said delivery nozzle being constructed to be opened by water pressure in the hose and which pressure is maintained by said nozzle so as to be suflicient to uncoil said hose to delivery position and hold it there, said hose delivering substantially all of the hose-received water out of its large capacity nozzle end onto an area spaced from the downspout, said hose having restricted drain means for slowly draining it of at least part of the residual water in said hose after said nozzle closes, thereby permitting the hose to recoil by itself into spiral form, said delivery nozzle being formed of resilient material and comprising coacting wide lips normally held firmly in contact with each other by the resiliency of the nozzle, said lips being separable to provide a relatively large opening for discharge of water along with foreign matter, such as leaves, under the pressure of the hose-received water.

2. The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hose is formed from a resilient material and is integral with said nozzle.

3. The structure as set forth in claim 1 including deflector means secured to said nozzle and including a deflector portion disposed in spaced relation in front of said nozzle and including portions. for diverting water laterally in opposite directions from said nozzle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 582,125 Hatch May 4, 1897 612,433 Orford Oct. 18, 1898 2,373,555 Folke Apr. 10, 1945 2,392,085 Ferrel Jan. 1, 1946 2,601,655 Young June 24, 1952 2,705,662 Leonard Apr. 5, 1955 2,776,861 Swenson June 8, 1957 2,800,925 Tollefsen et a1. July 30, 1957 2,814,529 Arnt Nov. 26, 1957 2,898,939 Fox Aug. 11, 1959 

